Renault-powered drivers take updated MGU-K for Chinese GP

Renault moves to fix an early issue with the kinetic recovery part on its power unit early in the season.

Three Renault-powered drivers have moved onto their second MGU-K part of the season ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix after the French manufacturer opted to redesign the part following early issues this season.

Renault works drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Nico Hulkenberg both retired in the closing stages of the Bahrain Grand Prix two weeks ago due to a power unit issue, while McLaren’s Carlos Sainz Jr. was sidelined by a problem at the season-opener in Australia.

Sainz moved onto his second MGU-K of the year ahead of the race in Bahrain, but the three remaining Renault-powered drivers – Ricciardo, Hulkenberg, and Sainz’s McLaren teammate, Lando Norris – have now followed suit ahead of this weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.

The changes were confirmed in the FIA’s power unit element bulletin issued following the start of opening practice in Shanghai.

“This year there have been several problems on the MGU-K side,” Hulkenberg said on Thursday.

“Here, all Renault engines are on the redesigned MGU-K, so we are very confident it has taken care of the issues we’ve seen.

“They are working on it, working on reliability and get on top of the situation. It is a pity as we lost a great result [in Bahrain] but let’s go on. At one point you’ve got to let it go and move on.”

As well as a new MGU-K, Hulkenberg has also taken a fresh internal combustion engine, turbocharger, and MGU-H for the start of the China weekend.

The only other power unit element changes come at Ferrari and Haas, whose drivers have all taken a new control electronics part.